Kim Kardashian is emblematic of the shallowness of American culture in the first two decades of the new millennium. While some cultural critics call her the prime avatar of the “famous for being famous” faux celebrity crowd, she along with Paris Hilton is a new breed of cat whose celebrity comes from the release of a sex tape and the canny exploitation of the resulting publicity. Like her good friend Miss Hilton (their relationship predates Kim’s “celebrity”, Kardashian is possessed of photogenic good looks but is short of any other discernible talents outside the bedroom. Both expanded their celebrity by becoming reality TV “stars”.

Porn pioneer Harry Reems has commented how surprised he is at how porn stars like Jenna Jameson are accepted now in mainstream culture. His life was ruined by his participation in porn in its “Golden Years”. As for Paris Hilton andKim Kardashian, the release (accidental or not-so-accidental) of boudoir tapes didn’t result in shame but celebration. America like ancient Rome seems to have shuffled off the moral coil of virtue of the Republic and is now enjoying its Imperial self in an orgy of ignominy. It’s always more fun on the toboggan ride down the hill than it was schlepping up it in the first place.

The backlash against Kardashian has been ugly. Commenting on Kim and her family, the stars of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” (2007), English actor Daniel Craig told “GQ” magazine, “You see that and you think, ‘What, you mean all I have to do is behave like a [expletive] idiot on television and then you’ll pay me millions?’”

_Madmen (2007)_ star ‘Jon Hamm’ was even more direct, saying in an “Elle” magazine interview, “Whether it’s Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian or whoever, stupidity is certainly celebrated. ” He went on to say, “Being a [expletive] idiot is a valuable commodity in this culture. You’re rewarded significantly.”

In the wake of Kim and her family members signing a new four-year $40 million deal for their show, Jonah Hill joined in on the pile-up, saying that, “The fact that the Kardashians could be more popular than a show like ‘Mad Men’ is disgusting.”

In the decadence that is America of the $15-trillion deficit and no serious plans from either part for a solution to the economic problems of the “Great Recession”, Kim Kardashian is welcomed to her second White House Correspondents Association Dinner in Washington, D.C. in 2012 and made fun of not only by host Jimmy Kimmel but by the President of the United States, Barack Obama, himself and laughs merrily at the merriment. That the women’s fame rests on the February 2007 “leaking” of a four-year-old home sex (for which she ultimately received $5 million from Vivid Entertainment) is an apt metaphor for socio-economic-cultural malaise in Washington and the country beyond, where everything seems to be run by amoral prostitutes in bed with each other and merely out for a buck.

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Here’s a pretty awesome video of Mad Men star, Jon Hamm fielding questions from teenage girls.

When I was 4 years old, Mr. Rogers was my valentine. Never found a boy who could match up to him… 

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To Boddah pronounced

        Speaking from the tongue of an experienced simpleton who obviously would rather be an emasculated, infantile complainee. This note should be pretty easy to understand. All the warnings from the punk rock 101 courses over the years. Since my first introduction to the, shall we say, ethics involved with independence and the embracement of your community has proven to be very true. I haven’t felt the exitement of listening to as well as creating music along with reading and writing for too many years now. I feel guilty beyond words about these things. For example when we’re backstage and the lights go out and the manic roar of the crowd begins it doesn’t affect the way in which it did for Freddy Mercury who seemed to love and relish in the love and adoration from the crowd. Which is something I totally admire and envy. The fact is I can’t fool you. Any one of you. It simply isn’t fair to you or me. The worst crime I can think of would be to rip people off by faking it and pretending as if I’m having 100 % fun. Sometimes I feel as if I should have a punch in time clock before I walk out on stage. I’ve tried everything within my power to appreciate it, and I do. God, believe me I do but it’s not enough.

        I appreciate the fact that I and we have affected and entertained a lot of people. I must be one of one of those narcissists who only appreciate things when they’re gone. I’m too sensitive. I need to be slightly numb in order to regain the enthusiasm I once had as a child. On our last three tours I’ve had a much better appreciation for all the people I’ve known personally and as fans of our music, but I still can’t get over the frustration, the guilt and empathy I have for everyone. There’s good in all of us and I think I simply love people too much. So much that it makes me feel too fucking sad. The sad little, sensitive, unappreciative, pisces Jesus man! Why don’t you just enjoy it? I don’t know. I have a goddess of a wife who sweats ambition and empathy and a daughter who reminds me too much of what I used to be.

        Full of love and joy kissing every person she meets because everyone is good and will do her no harm. And that terrifies me to the point to where I can barely function. I can’t stand the thought of Frances becoming the miserable self-destructive, death rocker that I’ve become. I have it good, very good, and I’m grateful, but since the age of seven I’ve become hateful towards all humans in general. Only because it seems so easy for people to get along, and have empathy. Empathy! Only because I love and feel for people too much I guess. Thank you all from the pit of my burning nauseous stomach for your letters and concern during the past years. I’m too much of an erratic, moody baby! I don’t have the passion anymore and so remember, its better to burn out than to fade away. peace, love, empathy. Kurt Cobain

Frances and Courtney, I’ll be at your later.
Please keep going Courtney
For Frances
For her life which will be so much happier without me. I Love you. I love you!

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The Beatles and Muhammad Ali

Marilyn Monroe and Sammy Davis Jr.

Marilyn Monroe meets Queen Elizabeth II

Michael Jackson and Mr. T

The cast of the original Star Wars Trilogy

Elvis Presley and Tom Jones

Charlie Chaplin and Mahatma Gandhi

Mother Teresa and Princess Diana

Frank Sinatra and Grace Kelly

Salvador Dali and Coco Chanel

Johnny Cash and Ray Charles

Walt Disney and Shirley Temple

Jimi Hendrix and Mick Jagger

Martin Luther King and Malcolm X

Charlie Chaplin and Albert Einstein

Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash

George Harrison and Bob Marley

Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee

John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and Pierre Elliot Trudeau

Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Warren G. Harding, and Harvey Firestone

Bob Marley and The Jackson 5

James Brown And Mick Jagger

James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor

Madonna, Sting and 2Pac

Martin Luther King Jr and Marlon Brando

Paul Newman and Clint Eastwood

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Here’s a pretty awesome video of John Lennon talking to a young hippie dude outside his door at his mansion at Tittenhurst Park. The guy hoped of talking to Lennon to learn how his music related to him on a personal level. He was trespassing into Lennon’s property, and was sleeping rough in one of the gardens in Lennon’s estate.